SPARTANBURG, SC (Aug. 26, 2004) - The Southern Conference volleyball preseason poll as voted by the head volleyball coach from all SoCon schools have selected College of Charleston to win the 2004 regular season championship, it was announced today. The coaches also selected 12 players to the preseason all-league team, including the 2003 freshman of the year and two returning all-conference picks.
The College of Charleston received nine of the 12 available first place votes to take the top spot on the poll. Georgia Southern recorded two first place votes and grabbed the second spot. Appalachian State finished third with one first place vote with Furman and Elon rounding out the top five. The Lady Bucs were picked to finish tied for the eighth spot after finishing the 2003 season tied for fourth in the SoCon north division standings.
The volleyball coaches also selected their preseason all-conference team. There were two unanimous picks among the group in last season's Freshman of the Year Kellyn Thaut of Western Carolina and Furman's Julia Fredrickson, a returning second-team all-league pick from last season. The College of Charleston led the league in voting, placing three players on the team with outside hitters Sara Davis, Marie Dobrenz and setter Kayce Carr representing Cougars. Appalachian State had two players on the all-conference team in outside hitter Kali Rumberger and setter Amber Mangrum. Georgia Southern also placed two players on the squad. Middle blocker Kristen Kasprak and outside hitter Jance Pressley made the team for the Eagles. Wofford's Andrea Duke, a second team all-conference pick from last season, Davidson's Jenna Dystra and Emily Hayes of Elon round out the preseason team.
ETSU will begin its season competing at the Mizuno-Auburn Challenge where they will face host Auburn on Sep. 3. The Lady Bucs will return to Brooks Gymnasium on Sep. 24 to face Appalachian State in their 2004 home opener, game time is slated for 7:00 pm.
2004 Volleyball Preseason Poll
1. College of Charleston (9) 119
2. Georgia Southern (2) 109
3. Appalachian State (1) 101
4. Furman 92
5. Elon 72
6. Western Carolina 63
7. Chattanooga 62
8. Davidson 45
9. East Tennessee State 45
10. Wofford 36
11. UNC Greensboro 32
12. The Citadel 11
North
1. Appalachian State
2. Elon
3. Western Carolina
4. Chattanooga
5. East Tennessee State
6. UNC Greensboro
South
1. College of Charleston
2. Georgia Southern
3. Furman
4. Davidson
5. Wofford
6. The Citadel
2004 Volleyball Preseason All-League Team
Amber Mangrum, Appalachian State
Kali Rumberger, Appalachian State
Kayce Carr, College of Charleston
Marie Dobrenz, College of Charleston
Sara Davis, College of Charleston
Jenna Dykstra, Davidson
Emily Hayes, Elon
Julia Fredrickson, Furman
Kristen Kaprak, Georgia Southern
Janice Pressley, Georgia Southern
Kellyn Thaut, Western Carolina
Andrea Duke, Wofford